Rapper Common at the world premiere of 'Happy Feet Two' in Hollywood November 13, 2011.

Rapper Common at the world premiere of 'Happy Feet Two' in Hollywood November 13, 2011. (Frederic J. Brown/Getty Images)

What do I think of Common’s new in-your-face music video for “Sweet”? I’m being 100 percent honest when I say that, for a second there, I thought it was a Funny or Die video.

That’s not intended to be a knock on the song or video, which aren't bad. I’m just not used to Common – who has long been considered a “thinking man’s rapper” – dropping f-bombs left and right and rapping “How can I say this? F*** it, I’m the greatest” and bragging about how he’s “rolling in the Maserati Gran with the lid off.”

(Keep in mind the video was shot in Haiti and the money that the video makes on UStream goes to the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.)

And then there was the non-stop chest pounding and growling at the camera -- a far cry from the grooving and head bobbing we’ve seen Common do in past videos -- and the close-up of the local staring at the camera, blowing smoke out of his nose. The only thing that was missing from the gritty “Sweet” video was the the cliché underground dog fighting shot.

Obviously, Common is allowed to take his music in any direction he’d like. And he doesn’t need to live up to his reputation just to please the public. But you can’t blame me for getting caught off guard when Common, known for promoting positivity, is calling people out for not being hard enough.

Remember, there’s a reason anyone familiar with Common’s work laughed when Fox News labeled him as “vile” and “controversial.”

Heads up: The Bears' Lance Briggs and Israel Idonije and ex-Bears Nathan Vasher and Antonio Garay are throwing themselves a birthday party at the House of Blues Friday. You can RSVP at iPhresh3@gmail.com. … Time Square’s Naked Cowboy will be appearing at The Bedford in Wicker Park Wednesday to promote his line of Naked Oysters from Blue Island Shellfish Farms.

Watch this: The trailer for "Angels Crest," which features Jeremy Piven and Kate Walsh, is now online. If you loved "Entourage" you're...probably going to skip "Angels Crest." Looks dark. ... Patrick Stump sang "This City," on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno Tuesday. Here's the video of Stump's performance and here's the Tribune's review of his show at The Metro on Friday.

On the record: "YES, this would be me playing around ... haven't taken drugz for over 10 years thank you! smiles all around..." - Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan explains, via Twitter, a video of himself popping pills during an interview.

Sightings: If you're wondering about the long line outside of FYE on Randolph St. Tuesday, Romeo Santos -- lead singer of the popular bachata band Aventura -- was signing copies of his debut solo album “Formula Volume 1.” Look for my interview with Romeo in the Tribune’s A & E section Monday. … R. Kelly was on hand for fellow R&B artist Syleena Johnson's show at The Shrine Thursday. ... The Detroit Lions’ Ndamukong Suh had dinner at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in the Gold Coast Friday. The Bears’ Lovie Smith and Roy Williams dined there separately Sunday after defeating the Lions at Soldier Field. … Israel Idonije was spotted at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in Lombard Monday. Idonije also attended teammate Robbie Gould's "Monday Night Football" watch party at Rockit Bar & Grill that night, which benefitted the Goulden Touch foundation.

Common said he put a significant amount of time into his role as former slave Elam Ferguson on AMC’s Wild West drama, “Hell on Wheels.” The Chicago rapper-turned-actor, however, refused to call the role difficult.

Common made headlines in May when conservatives criticized first Lady Michelle Obama for inviting him to the White House, but the Chicago rapper/actor — known for being a positive and politically conscious rapper, not the controversial thug some made him out to be — didn’t...

A day after Trevor Noah was declared the new host of "The Daily Show," his graphic tweets targeting women and Jews are causing a social media backlash and Comedy Central is defending its newest late-night star.

Ronit Bezalel has seen just about everything on Chicago bike paths, but on her Monday morning commute she saw something that shocked even her: A silver Buick, almost unscathed, in the middle of the bike path.